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{{Short description|2010 film}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Honey
| name = Honey
Line 8: Line 9:
| writer =
| writer =
| starring = [[Erdal Beşikçioğlu]]
| starring = [[Erdal Beşikçioğlu]]
| music =
| cinematography = Barış Özbiçer
| cinematography = Barış Özbiçer
| editing = Ayhan Ergürsel<br>Suzan Hande Güneri<br>Semih Kaplanoğlu
| editing = Ayhan Ergürsel<br>Suzan Hande Güneri<br>Semih Kaplanoğlu
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| country = Turkey<br>Germany
| country = Turkey<br>Germany
| language = Turkish
| language = Turkish
| budget = €1,250,000
}}
}}
'''''Honey''''' ({{lang-tr|Bal}}) is a 2010 Turkish [[drama film]] directed by [[Semih Kaplanoğlu]], the third and final installment of the "Yusuf Trilogy", which includes ''[[Egg (2007 film)|Egg]]'' and ''Milk''.<ref name="kf01">{{cite web | url=http://www.kaplanfilm.com/en/pdf/BAL_berlinNN_ENG.pdf | title = Bal-Honey Competing at the 60th Berlin Film Festival | publisher = Kaplan Film | accessdate = 2010-02-19 }}</ref> It premiered on 16&nbsp;February 2010 in competition at the [[60th Berlin International Film Festival]],<ref name="kf01" /><ref name="biff01">{{cite web | url = http://www.berlinale.de/en/programm/berlinale_programm/datenblatt.php?film_id=20104005#id=20104005 | title = Bal (Honey) film file | work = Berlinale program | accessdate = 2010-02-19 }}</ref><ref name="hr01">{{citation | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/world/news/e3ia2f06c2856f58e40c10467f764372a0c | title = Berlin festival unveils full lineup | newspaper = Hollywood Reporter | date = 1 February 2010}}</ref> where it became the third Turkish film, after ''[[Susuz Yaz]]'' in [[14th Berlin International Film Festival|1964]] and ''[[Head-On (film)|Head-On]]'' in [[54th Berlin International Film Festival|2004]], to win the [[Golden Bear]] award.<ref>{{citation | title = Roman Polanski wins best director award at Berlin | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8526500.stm | publisher = BBC News | date = 20 February 2010}}.</ref><ref name="Deutsche Welle">{{citation | url = http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5269958,00.html?maca=en-rss-en-cul-2090-rdf | title = Berlinale reaches climax with awards ceremony | date = 21 February 2010 | publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]]}}.</ref><ref name="Deutsche Welle"/> The film, which went on general release across Turkey on 9 April 2010, was selected as Turkey's official candidate for the [[Best Foreign Film Oscar]] at the [[83rd Academy Awards]]<ref name="trt01">{{cite web | url = http://www.trt-world.com/trtworld/en/newsDetail.aspx?HaberKodu=5c722265-83f9-4bce-a3e6-42f2e7036105 | title = ''Bal/Honey'' to Represent Turkey in Acadamey Awards | work = TRT | accessdate = 2010-10-04 }}</ref> but it did not make the final shortlist.<ref name="Oscar Shortlist">{{cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2011/20110119.html |title=9 Foreign Language Films Continue to Oscar Race |accessdate=2011-01-19|work=oscars.org}}</ref>
'''''Honey''''' ({{langx|tr|Bal}}) is a 2010 Turkish [[drama film]] directed by [[Semih Kaplanoğlu]], the third and final installment of the "Yusuf Trilogy", which includes ''[[Egg (2007 film)|Egg]]'' and ''Milk''.<ref name="kf01">{{cite web | url=http://www.kaplanfilm.com/en/pdf/BAL_berlinNN_ENG.pdf | title = Bal-Honey Competing at the 60th Berlin Film Festival | publisher = Kaplan Film | access-date =19 February 2010}}</ref> It premiered on 16 February 2010 in competition at the [[60th Berlin International Film Festival]],<ref name="kf01" /><ref name="biff01">{{cite web | url = http://www.berlinale.de/en/programm/berlinale_programm/datenblatt.php?film_id=20104005#id=20104005 | title = Bal (Honey) film file | work = Berlinale program | access-date = 19 February 2010 }}</ref><ref name="hr01">{{citation | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/world/news/e3ia2f06c2856f58e40c10467f764372a0c | title = Berlin festival unveils full lineup | newspaper = Hollywood Reporter | date = 1 February 2010}}</ref> where it became the third Turkish film, after ''[[Susuz Yaz]]'' in [[14th Berlin International Film Festival|1964]] and ''[[Head-On (film)|Head-On]]'' in [[54th Berlin International Film Festival|2004]], to win the [[Golden Bear]] award.<ref>{{citation | title = Roman Polanski wins best director award at Berlin | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8526500.stm | publisher = BBC News | date = 20 February 2010}}.</ref><ref name="Deutsche Welle">{{citation | url = http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5269958,00.html?maca=en-rss-en-cul-2090-rdf | title = Berlinale reaches climax with awards ceremony | date = 21 February 2010 | publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]]}}.</ref> The film, which went on general release across Turkey on 9 April 2010, was selected as Turkey's official candidate for the [[Best Foreign Film Oscar]] at the [[83rd Academy Awards]]<ref name="trt01">{{cite web | url = http://www.trt-world.com/trtworld/en/newsDetail.aspx?HaberKodu=5c722265-83f9-4bce-a3e6-42f2e7036105 | title = ''Bal/Honey'' to Represent Turkey in Acadamey Awards | work = TRT | access-date = 4 October 2010 }}</ref> but it did not make the final shortlist.<ref name="Oscar Shortlist">{{cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2011/20110119.html |title=9 Foreign Language Films Continue to Oscar Race |access-date=19 January 2011|work=oscars.org}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
In the remote and undeveloped eastern [[Black Sea Region|Black Sea region]], a six-year-old boy (Yusuf) wanders through the woods searching for his lost father, trying to make sense of his life.<ref name="Deutsche Welle"/> His father is a beekeeper whose bees have disappeared unexpectedly, threatening his livelihood.<ref name="Deutsche Welle"/> A bizarre accident kills the father.<ref name="The Straits Times">{{citation | url = http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_492950.html | title = Polanski wins best director | date = February 21, 2010 | newspaper = [[The Straits Times]]}}.</ref> There is little dialogue or music in the film.<ref name="Deutsche Welle"/> The three main characters (Yusuf and his parents) are all fairly taciturn, and the soundtrack is filled out with the sounds of the forest and the creatures that live there.<ref>{{citation | first = Ray | last = Bennett | title = Honey – Film Review | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/honey-film-review-1004068473.story | newspaper = Hollywood Reporter | date = 17 February 2010}}.</ref> The environment is a recurring theme.<ref name="The Guardian">{{citation | author = Kate Connolly | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/21/roman-polanski-berlin-best-director | title = Roman Polanski wins best director prize in Berlin | date = February 21, 2010 | newspaper = [[The Guardian]]}}.</ref>
In the remote and undeveloped eastern [[Black Sea Region|Black Sea region]], a six-year-old boy (Yusuf) wanders through the woods searching for his lost father, trying to make sense of his life.<ref name="Deutsche Welle"/> His father is a beekeeper whose bees have disappeared unexpectedly, threatening his livelihood.<ref name="Deutsche Welle"/> A bizarre accident kills the father.<ref name="The Straits Times">{{citation | url = http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_492950.html | title = Polanski wins best director | date = 21 February 2010 | newspaper = [[The Straits Times]]}}.</ref> There is little dialogue or music in the film.<ref name="Deutsche Welle"/> The three main characters (Yusuf and his parents) are all fairly taciturn, and the soundtrack is filled out with the sounds of the forest and the creatures that live there.<ref>{{citation | first = Ray | last = Bennett | title = Honey – Film Review | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/honey-film-review-1004068473.story | newspaper = Hollywood Reporter | date = 17 February 2010}}.</ref> The environment is a recurring theme.<ref name="The Guardian">{{citation | author = Kate Connolly | url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/feb/21/roman-polanski-berlin-best-director | title = Roman Polanski wins best director prize in Berlin | date = 21 February 2010 | newspaper = [[The Guardian]]}}.</ref>


==Cast==
==Cast==
Line 32: Line 31:


==Production==
==Production==
''Honey'' is the last installment of Kaplanoğlu's autobiographical "Yusuf Trilogy", named after the central character, preceded by ''[[Egg (2007 film)|Egg]]'' (''Yumurta'', 2007) and ''[[Milk (2008 film)|Milk]]'' (''Süt'', 2008).<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2010/02/20/berlin-festival-awards.html | title = Turkish film, Polanski winners at Berlin film fest | date = February 20, 2010 | publisher = [[CBC News]]}}.</ref> ''Egg'' was screened at Cannes, ''Milk'' at Venice.<ref>{{cite news | author=Roderick Conway Morris | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/movies/27fest.html | title = Golden Lion Prepares to Roar as Venice Opens Its Annual Film Festival|date=August 27, 2008 | publisher = ''[[The New York Times]]'' | accessdate = 21 February 2010}}</ref> The trilogy runs in reverse chronological order,<ref>{{cite web | title = Egg | work = Press Kit | publisher = Kaplan Film Production | date = 7 May 2007 | url = http://www.kaplanfilm.com/press_kit_egg.pdf | accessdate = 2008-04-30}}</ref> and ''Honey'' explores Yusuf's early childhood.
''Honey'' is the last installment of Kaplanoğlu's autobiographical "Yusuf Trilogy", named after the central character, preceded by ''[[Egg (2007 film)|Egg]]'' (''Yumurta'', 2007) and ''[[Milk (2008 Turkish film)|Milk]]'' (''Süt'', 2008).<ref>{{citation | url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/turkish-film-polanski-winners-at-berlin-film-fest-1.880431 | title = Turkish film, Polanski winners at Berlin film fest | date = 20 February 2010 | publisher = [[CBC News]]}}.</ref> ''Egg'' was screened at Cannes, ''Milk'' at Venice.<ref>{{cite news | author=Roderick Conway Morris | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/movies/27fest.html | title = Golden Lion Prepares to Roar as Venice Opens Its Annual Film Festival|date=27 August 2008 | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | access-date = 21 February 2010}}</ref> The trilogy runs in reverse chronological order,<ref>{{cite web | title = Egg | work = Press Kit | publisher = Kaplan Film Production | date = 7 May 2007 | url = http://www.kaplanfilm.com/press_kit_egg.pdf | access-date = 30 April 2008}}</ref> and ''Honey'' explores Yusuf's early childhood.


The film was shot in [[Çamlıhemşin]] district in [[Rize Province]] in northeastern Turkey, and was jointly produced by Turkey's [[Kaplan Film Production]] and [[Germany]]'s [[Heimatfilm]],<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5269780,00.html | title = Turkish film 'Bal' wins top honors at Berlinale | date=February 20, 2010 | publisher = [[Deutsche Welle]] | accessdate = 21 February 2010}}</ref> and shot in the mountains of Turkey.<ref name="Deutsche Welle"/> The scriptwriting was supported by a 25,000 [[Turkish lira]] grant (approx. €12,000 or $16,500) from Script Development Fund of the [[International Eurasia Film Festival|Antalya Eurasia Film Festival]], while the production was supported by funding from the [[Council of Europe]] [[Eurimages]] fund, the [[North Rhine Westphalia]] Film Foundation and the television stations [[ZDF]] and [[Arte]].<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/lifestyle/11847631.asp?scr=1 | title = Council of Europe to support Turkish film | newspaper = [[Hürriyet]] | accessdate = 21 February 2010}}.</ref><ref>{{citation | last = Uehling | first = Peter | title = Die Seele in der Natur | newspaper = Berliner Zeitung | date = 17 February 2010}}. {{de icon}}</ref>
The film was shot in [[Çamlıhemşin]] district in [[Rize Province]] in northeastern Turkey, and was jointly produced by Turkey's [[Kaplan Film Production]] and [[Germany]]'s [[Heimatfilm]],<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5269780,00.html | title = Turkish film 'Bal' wins top honors at Berlinale | date = 20 February 2010 | publisher = [[Deutsche Welle]] | access-date = 21 February 2010 | archive-date = 5 June 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110605003657/http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5269780,00.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> and shot in the mountains of Turkey.<ref name="Deutsche Welle"/> The scriptwriting was supported by a 25,000 [[Turkish lira]] grant (approx. €12,000 or $16,500) from Script Development Fund of the [[International Eurasia Film Festival|Antalya Eurasia Film Festival]], while the production was supported by funding from the [[Council of Europe]] [[Eurimages]] fund, the [[North Rhine Westphalia]] Film Foundation and the television stations [[ZDF]] and [[Arte]].<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/lifestyle/11847631.asp?scr=1 | title = Council of Europe to support Turkish film | newspaper = [[Hürriyet]] | access-date = 21 February 2010}}.</ref><ref>{{citation | last = Uehling | first = Peter | title = Die Seele in der Natur | newspaper = Berliner Zeitung | date = 17 February 2010}}. {{in lang|de}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Critical reception==
===Critical response===
The film received positive reviews from critics. Review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reports that 88%, out of 25 professional critics, gave the film a positive review.<ref>[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/honey_2011/ Honey - Rotten Tomatoes]</ref> Katja Nicodemus (''Die Zeit'') praised the film as an "existential narrative about the world view of a child, about loss and mourning". She picks out the calm rhythm and the landscape photography: "In ''Bal'', you believe you can smell the rain drizzling on the boy on his way to school".<ref>{{citation | last = Nicodemus | first = Katja | title = Ein Festival aus Wahn und Schnee | newspaper = Die Zeit | date = 18 February 2010}}. {{de icon}}</ref> Detlef Kuhlbrodt (''Die Tageszeitung'') spoke of Kaplanoğlu's "[[Meditation|meditative]]" film,<ref>{{citation | first = Detlef | last = Kuhlbrodt | title = Teufel wispern in den Herzen der Menschen | newspaper = Die Tageszeitung | date = 17 February 2010}}. {{de icon}}</ref> while Christina Tilmann (''Tagesspiegel'') described it as "one of the most beautiful and most intimate films of this festival", made from unspectacular ingredients "... a film that lets the viewer dream. It feels like wind, like oxygen, air that you want to keep with you for as long as you can. Or like the Sun shining in the forest through marvelously tower-high trees."<ref>{{citation | last = Tilmann | first = Christina | title = Das rote Band | newspaper = Der Tagesspiegel | date = 17 February 2010}}. {{de icon}}</ref>
The film received positive reviews from critics. ''Honey'' has an approval rating of 85% on [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], based on 27 reviews, and an average rating of 6.8/10. <ref>[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/honey_2011/ Honey - Rotten Tomatoes]</ref> [[Metacritic]] assigned the film a weighted average score of 70 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>https://www.metacritic.com/movie/bal?ftag=MCD-06-10aaa1c</ref>


Katja Nicodemus (''Die Zeit'') praised the film as an "existential narrative about the world view of a child, about loss and mourning". She picks out the calm rhythm and the [[landscape photography]]: "In ''Bal'', you believe you can smell the rain drizzling on the boy on his way to school".<ref>{{citation | last = Nicodemus | first = Katja | title = Ein Festival aus Wahn und Schnee | newspaper = Die Zeit | date = 18 February 2010}}. {{in lang|de}}</ref> Detlef Kuhlbrodt (''Die Tageszeitung'') spoke of Kaplanoğlu's "[[Meditation|meditative]]" film,<ref>{{citation | first = Detlef | last = Kuhlbrodt | title = Teufel wispern in den Herzen der Menschen | newspaper = Die Tageszeitung | date = 17 February 2010}}. {{in lang|de}}</ref> while Christina Tilmann (''Tagesspiegel'') described it as "one of the most beautiful and most intimate films of this festival", made from unspectacular ingredients "... a film that lets the viewer dream. It feels like wind, like oxygen, air that you want to keep with you for as long as you can. Or like the Sun shining in the forest through marvelously tower-high trees."<ref>{{citation | last = Tilmann | first = Christina | title = Das rote Band | newspaper = Der Tagesspiegel | date = 17 February 2010}}. {{in lang|de}}</ref>
==Accolades==

''Honey'' beat 19 other films from around the world to win the [[Golden Bear]] award.<ref name="The Straits Times"/><ref name="The Hindu"/> Its win was seen as a "surprise" by some.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.net/2010/02/21/polanski-wins-berlin-s-best-director-award/|title=Polanski wins Berlin's Best Director award|date=February 21, 2010|publisher=[[euronews]]|accessdate=21 February 2010}}</ref> Kaplanoğlu reacted by recalling an encounter with a bear while filming, "The bear is now back."<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/movies/article110714.ece|title=Turkish film scoops Golden Bear in Berlin|date=February 21, 2010|publisher=''[[The Hindu]]''|accessdate=21 February 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> At a press conference the director said: "In the name of Turkish Films, this is a very meaningful prize. It's a help to making better films".<ref>{{cite news|author=Tracey Gudwin|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/entertainment/2010-02/21/c_13181676.htm|title=Turkish filmmaker top winner at Berlin film fest|date=February 21, 2010|publisher=[[Xinhua News Agency]]|accessdate=21 February 2010}}</ref> It was nominated for Best Film, [[European Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]] and Best Cinematography at the [[European Film Awards 2010|23rd European Film Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2010/11/06/nominations-for-the-23rd-european-film-awards/|title=Nominations for the 23rd European Film Awards|date=2010-11-06|work=europeanfilmacademy.org|publisher=[[European Film Academy]]|accessdate=2010-11-07}}</ref>
===Accolades===
''Honey'' beat 19 other films from around the world to win the [[Golden Bear]] award.<ref name="The Straits Times"/><ref name="The Hindu"/> Its win was seen as a "surprise" by some.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.net/2010/02/21/polanski-wins-berlin-s-best-director-award/|title=Polanski wins Berlin's Best Director award|date=21 February 2010|publisher=[[euronews]]|access-date=21 February 2010|archive-date=5 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605040822/http://www.euronews.net/2010/02/21/polanski-wins-berlin-s-best-director-award/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kaplanoğlu reacted by recalling an encounter with a bear while filming, "The bear is now back."<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/movies/article110714.ece|title=Turkish film scoops Golden Bear in Berlin|date=21 February 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=21 February 2010}}</ref> At a press conference the director said: "In the name of Turkish Films, this is a very meaningful prize. It's a help to making better films".<ref>{{cite news|author=Tracey Gudwin|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/entertainment/2010-02/21/c_13181676.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224085921/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/entertainment/2010-02/21/c_13181676.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 February 2010|title=Turkish filmmaker top winner at Berlin film fest|date=21 February 2010|publisher=[[Xinhua News Agency]]|access-date=21 February 2010}}</ref> It was nominated for Best Film, [[European Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]] and Best Cinematography at the [[European Film Awards 2010|23rd European Film Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2010/11/06/nominations-for-the-23rd-european-film-awards/|title=Nominations for the 23rd European Film Awards|date=6 November 2010|work=europeanfilmacademy.org|publisher=[[European Film Academy]]|access-date=7 November 2010|archive-date=9 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109024743/http://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2010/11/06/nominations-for-the-23rd-european-film-awards/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 50: Line 52:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.kaplanfilm.com/en/index.asp Official website] of Kaplan Film
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100123091209/http://www.kaplanfilm.com/en/index.asp Official website] of Kaplan Film
* {{imdb title|1571724|Honey}}
* {{IMDb title|1571724|Honey}}
* {{tcmdb title|787125|Honey}}
* {{tcmdb title|787125|Honey}}


{{Semih Kaplanoğlu}}
{{Golden Bear}}
{{Golden Bear}}
{{GoldenBollAwardBestPicture}}
{{GoldenBollAwardBestPicture}}
{{Turkish submissions for the Academy Award}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Honey}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Honey}}
[[Category:2010 films]]
[[Category:2010 films]]
[[Category:2010s drama films]]
[[Category:2010 drama films]]
[[Category:German films]]
[[Category:German drama films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Semih Kaplanoğlu]]
[[Category:2010s Turkish-language films]]
[[Category:Golden Bear winners]]
[[Category:Turkish films]]
[[Category:Films set in Turkey]]
[[Category:Turkish-language films]]
[[Category:Turkish drama films]]
[[Category:Turkish drama films]]
[[Category:Best Picture Golden Boll Award winners]]
[[Category:Best Picture Golden Boll Award winners]]
[[Category:Films directed by Semih Kaplanoğlu]]
[[Category:Films set in Turkey]]
[[Category:Golden Bear winners]]
[[Category:2010s German films]]

Latest revision as of 18:00, 31 October 2024

Honey
Film poster
Directed bySemih Kaplanoğlu
Produced bySemih Kaplanoğlu
Johannes Rexin
Bettina Brokemper
StarringErdal Beşikçioğlu
CinematographyBarış Özbiçer
Edited byAyhan Ergürsel
Suzan Hande Güneri
Semih Kaplanoğlu
Production
company
Kaplan Film Production
Release dates
  • 11 February 2010 (2010-02-11) (Berlin)
  • 9 April 2010 (2010-04-09) (Turkey)
Running time
100 minutes
CountriesTurkey
Germany
LanguageTurkish

Honey (Turkish: Bal) is a 2010 Turkish drama film directed by Semih Kaplanoğlu, the third and final installment of the "Yusuf Trilogy", which includes Egg and Milk.[1] It premiered on 16 February 2010 in competition at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival,[1][2][3] where it became the third Turkish film, after Susuz Yaz in 1964 and Head-On in 2004, to win the Golden Bear award.[4][5] The film, which went on general release across Turkey on 9 April 2010, was selected as Turkey's official candidate for the Best Foreign Film Oscar at the 83rd Academy Awards[6] but it did not make the final shortlist.[7]

Plot

[edit]

In the remote and undeveloped eastern Black Sea region, a six-year-old boy (Yusuf) wanders through the woods searching for his lost father, trying to make sense of his life.[5] His father is a beekeeper whose bees have disappeared unexpectedly, threatening his livelihood.[5] A bizarre accident kills the father.[8] There is little dialogue or music in the film.[5] The three main characters (Yusuf and his parents) are all fairly taciturn, and the soundtrack is filled out with the sounds of the forest and the creatures that live there.[9] The environment is a recurring theme.[10]

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Honey is the last installment of Kaplanoğlu's autobiographical "Yusuf Trilogy", named after the central character, preceded by Egg (Yumurta, 2007) and Milk (Süt, 2008).[11] Egg was screened at Cannes, Milk at Venice.[12] The trilogy runs in reverse chronological order,[13] and Honey explores Yusuf's early childhood.

The film was shot in Çamlıhemşin district in Rize Province in northeastern Turkey, and was jointly produced by Turkey's Kaplan Film Production and Germany's Heimatfilm,[14] and shot in the mountains of Turkey.[5] The scriptwriting was supported by a 25,000 Turkish lira grant (approx. €12,000 or $16,500) from Script Development Fund of the Antalya Eurasia Film Festival, while the production was supported by funding from the Council of Europe Eurimages fund, the North Rhine Westphalia Film Foundation and the television stations ZDF and Arte.[15][16]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

The film received positive reviews from critics. Honey has an approval rating of 85% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 27 reviews, and an average rating of 6.8/10. [17] Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 70 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[18]

Katja Nicodemus (Die Zeit) praised the film as an "existential narrative about the world view of a child, about loss and mourning". She picks out the calm rhythm and the landscape photography: "In Bal, you believe you can smell the rain drizzling on the boy on his way to school".[19] Detlef Kuhlbrodt (Die Tageszeitung) spoke of Kaplanoğlu's "meditative" film,[20] while Christina Tilmann (Tagesspiegel) described it as "one of the most beautiful and most intimate films of this festival", made from unspectacular ingredients "... a film that lets the viewer dream. It feels like wind, like oxygen, air that you want to keep with you for as long as you can. Or like the Sun shining in the forest through marvelously tower-high trees."[21]

Accolades

[edit]

Honey beat 19 other films from around the world to win the Golden Bear award.[8][22] Its win was seen as a "surprise" by some.[23] Kaplanoğlu reacted by recalling an encounter with a bear while filming, "The bear is now back."[22] At a press conference the director said: "In the name of Turkish Films, this is a very meaningful prize. It's a help to making better films".[24] It was nominated for Best Film, Best Director and Best Cinematography at the 23rd European Film Awards.[25]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Bal-Honey Competing at the 60th Berlin Film Festival" (PDF). Kaplan Film. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  2. ^ "Bal (Honey) film file". Berlinale program. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  3. ^ "Berlin festival unveils full lineup", Hollywood Reporter, 1 February 2010
  4. ^ Roman Polanski wins best director award at Berlin, BBC News, 20 February 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d e Berlinale reaches climax with awards ceremony, Deutsche Welle, 21 February 2010.
  6. ^ "Bal/Honey to Represent Turkey in Acadamey Awards". TRT. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  7. ^ "9 Foreign Language Films Continue to Oscar Race". oscars.org. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  8. ^ a b "Polanski wins best director", The Straits Times, 21 February 2010.
  9. ^ Bennett, Ray (17 February 2010), "Honey – Film Review", Hollywood Reporter.
  10. ^ Kate Connolly (21 February 2010), "Roman Polanski wins best director prize in Berlin", The Guardian.
  11. ^ Turkish film, Polanski winners at Berlin film fest, CBC News, 20 February 2010.
  12. ^ Roderick Conway Morris (27 August 2008). "Golden Lion Prepares to Roar as Venice Opens Its Annual Film Festival". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
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